A CATHOLIC school principal says he will undertake an audit of how sexual education is delivered, and has urged other Catholic schools to take a similar approach.
“That’s a mandate for any good Catholic school. We should all be very clear that the formation of our young men and women is the reason we are open,” Dan McMahon, principal of co-ed Shalom Catholic College in Bundaberg, said.
“The formation of hearts and minds and souls is our core business.”
The Queensland government has announced a review of education addressing issues of sexual consent, a move welcomed by the Catholic education sector.
“Our thoughts are with any young people who have suffered harm, whether in an educational setting or while interacting with others in the community and we urge any victim of sexual assault to report the matter to police,” Queensland Catholic Education Commission executive director, Dr Lee-Anne Perry, said.
“Catholic schools have both legislative and ethical and moral obligations to meet in cases of reported harm or potential harm to students.”
“Like everyone else, I have been appalled to read about the incidences of historical sexual abuse that have been brought to our attention over the last few weeks,” Mr McMahon wrote in a principal’s reflection posted on Shalom College’s website.
“Lots has been written about the ‘toxic culture’ that is believed to have been evident in our Federal Parliament House.
“I suspect though, that there might be a lot of workplaces around Australia where things might not be very different.
“Lots of questions need to be answered around this issue but one of the big ones is, ‘What is stopping girls from speaking out, immediately, when something bad happens?’.
“I’ve certainly sat with girls in this situation and I’ve heard things like, ‘I didn’t want to make a fuss,’ and, ‘I didn’t want to become a bigger target’, and ‘at the time, I didn’t think it was such a big deal’.
“Our girls need to know that they will be supported when they speak up.
“They need to be convinced that someone they trust and, in a position of power, has their back.
“We need to convince them that it is perfectly okay not to accept poor behaviour from anyone.
“Our boys and our girls need to demand to only involve themselves in relationships that are genuinely respectful.”
The Queensland review of curriculum follows disturbing claims from young Queensland students of sexual assault and rape among the thousands of allegations in the petition created by a young Sydney woman, former Kambala student Chanel Contos, who called for better sex education in schools.
Elite Brisbane private boys’ schools have been rocked by allegations of rape from former private school girls.
“The Courier Mail singled out a few Boys’ schools in particular,” Mr McMahon wrote.
“My old school, St Laurence’s College copped it as well as another school in which I loved working, Gregory Terrace, along with Churchie and BBC.
“I think every other principal in Queensland, like me, thought, ‘there, but for the Grace of God, go I!’
“Poor sexual behaviour from young men is not confined to single sex schools. It is widespread.
“Girls should never accept or tolerate such behaviour – nor should boys.”
Mr McMahon’s reflection ends with a recommendation to parents to watch a video on ‘Consent’ released by Psychologist, Michael Carr-Gregg, and for parents to discuss the issue with their sons and daughters.
“Schools need to back you up on this but primarily this is your responsibility and obligation. To sit together and spend eight minutes watching Michael Carr-Gregg’s video is a great start to this conversation.”
The video can be accessed here.
